ADDITIONAL NOTES:renewed through the 2014-15 season (the show's sixth of 13 episodes) on 12/16/14

DESCRIPTION:(from Spike TV's press release, December 2014) On the eve of the LIVE "Ink Master" season 5 finale later tonight (Tuesday, December 16 from 10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), Spike TV is announcing it has picked up a sixth season of the network's hit original tattoo-competition series. "Ink Master," currently delivering an average of 2.1 million viewers for Season 5, is on pace for its most-watched season in franchise history. The new season, featuring 13 one-hour episodes, goes into production early next year and will debut in the summer of 2015. Season 6 will have a special twist as mentors will square off against their apprentices. The announcement was made today by Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV. "Ink Master" is once again proving to be a ratings driver for the network and has improved the timeslot in Adults 18-49 by 38% and 41% in Adults 18-34. The series is 47% male, demonstrating the network's ongoing plan to deliver gender-balanced original hit series.